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King Fern walking track

Werrikimbe National Park

Open, check current alerts 

Current alerts in this area

Last reviewed: Tue 24 June 2025, 2.40pm

Applies from Wed 7 May 2025, 3.03pm. Last reviewed: Tue 24 Jun 2025, 2.40pm.

Safety alerts: Road Access to Werrikimbe National Park

Adverse weather conditions have caused damage to access roads to Werrikimbe National Park and some sections are accessible only by 4WD vehicles

  • Hastings Forest Way - Road is open with caution, 4WD only
  • Racecourse Road - Road is open with caution, 4WD only
  • Cockerawombeeba Road – Road is closed between Forbes Road and North Plateau Road
  • Forbes Road –Road is open with caution, 4WD only
  • Brushy Mountain Campground – Campground is open
  • Plateau Beech Campground – Campground is open. Access via Hastings Forest Way.

Visitors should check the depth of waterway crossings before driving vehicles through, particularly at Forbes River crossing on Racecourse Road. 

For more information, contact the Port Macquarie NPWS office on (02) 6588 5555.

Nearby alerts

Applies from Tue 17 Jun 2025, 12.00am to Mon 14 Jul 2025, 12.00am. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Jun 2025, 3.08pm

Closed areas: Halls Peak campground and picnic areas are closed due to flood damage repairs

Halls Peak picnic area and campground will be closed from Tuesday 17th June 2025 and reopening Monday 14th July 2025 due to flood damage repairs. 

Penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, contact the Armidale NPWS office on 02 6738 9100.

Affects 1 park and 1 location nearby. Show list

Applies from Tue 20 May 2025, 2.19pm. Last reviewed: Tue 24 Jun 2025, 4.13pm

Closed parks: National parks closed due to impacts of severe weather

Many national parks and reserves in the Hastings Macleay and surrounding areas are closed due to widespread flooding and weather impacts. 

For up-to-date roads information check Live Traffic NSW

For more information contact the local park office.

Parks will re-open as soon as staff have had the opportunity to assess conditions.

Penalties apply for non-compliance.

Affects 1 park nearby. Show list

Applies from Wed 7 May 2025, 3.03pm. Last reviewed: Tue 24 Jun 2025, 2.40pm

Safety alerts: Road Access to Werrikimbe National Park

Adverse weather conditions have caused damage to access roads to Werrikimbe National Park and some sections are accessible only by 4WD vehicles

  • Hastings Forest Way - Road is open with caution, 4WD only
  • Racecourse Road - Road is open with caution, 4WD only
  • Cockerawombeeba Road – Road is closed between Forbes Road and North Plateau Road
  • Forbes Road –Road is open with caution, 4WD only
  • Brushy Mountain Campground – Campground is open
  • Plateau Beech Campground – Campground is open. Access via Hastings Forest Way.

Visitors should check the depth of waterway crossings before driving vehicles through, particularly at Forbes River crossing on Racecourse Road. 

For more information, contact the Port Macquarie NPWS office on (02) 6588 5555.

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Sun 27 Apr 2025, 2.00pm to Mon 18 Aug 2025, 2.00pm. Last reviewed: Tue 10 Jun 2025, 11.42am

Closed areas: Budds Mare and Riverside trail and campground closed for track works

Budds Mare campground and picnic area and Riverside campground and picnic area will be closed from 2PM Sunday 27 April until 2PM Monday 18 August 2025 due to major track works on the Riverside Trail. 

Vehicle access along the Riverside Trail is strictly prohibited during this time. The hike along Riverside Trail between Budds Mare and Riverside campground is also closed. Penalties apply for non-compliance.

For more information, contact the Walcha NPWS office on 02 6777 4700. 

Affects 1 park and 4 locations nearby. Show list

Applies from Thu 29 May 2025, 6.00am to Mon 8 Dec 2025, 4.00pm. Last reviewed: Mon 30 Jun 2025, 8.50am

Other planned events: Notice of ongoing 1080 program

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting ongoing aerial and ground baiting programs. Aerial baiting and ground baiting is scheduled from 8th June 2025 to 8th December 2025. The operation will use 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) poison for the control of Wild dogs and Foxes.

Aerial baiting and ground baiting will occur in:

Richmond River Area – Captains Creek NR, Richmond Range NP, Bundjalung NP

Clarence Area - Nymboi-Binderay National Park (NP), Nymboida NP, Mount Neville Nature Reserve (NR), Banyabba NR and State Conservation Area (SCA), Ramornie NP, Bundjalung NP

Coffs Coast Area - Bagul Waajaarr NR, Bindarri NP, Cascade NP, Chaelundi NP and SCA, Cunnawarra NP, Dorrigo NP, Dunggir NP, Gumbaynggirr SCA, Jobs Mountain NR, Mount Hyland NR and SCA, New England NP, Ngambaa NR, Nymboi-Binderay NP, Serpentine NR.

Hastings Macleay Area- The Cells SCA, Cottan-Bimbang NP, Carrai NP and SCA, New England NP, Pee Dee NR, The Castles NR, Werrikimbe NP, Willi Willi NP, Mount Seaview NR.

The program is designed to minimise predator impacts on wildlife, especially threatened species, and to minimise impact of wild dogs on neighbouring stock.

Signs will be placed at the entry to the baiting location. Domestic pets are not permitted in NSW National Parks managed lands. Pets and working dogs may be affected (1080 is lethal to cats and dogs). Pets and working dogs must be restrained or muzzled in the vicinity and must not enter the baiting location. In the event of accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance.

Please contact the local NPWS area office for more information.

Hastings Macleay Area 02 6561 6700

Coffs Coast Area 02 6652 0900

Clarence Area 02 6641 1500

Richmond River Area 02 6632 0000

Affects 2 parks nearby. Show list

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/king-fern-walking-track/local-alerts

Park info

See more visitor info

Emergency services

For all NSW fires visit the Rural Fire Service

For the latest information on wildfires in your area please contact the NSW Rural Fire Service.

View all alerts for NSW

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